Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jeanine Persichini, Owner of The Ginger Baby, located in Plano, TX, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I have an Etsy shop that celebrates redheads of all ages by offering clothing and accessories designed just for gingers (and those that love them.)

Tell us about yourself

I have a lot of redheads in my family. My mom, brother, niece, nephew, son, and grandson all have red hair. I understand the feeling of being teased, getting unwanted attention, or basically being made to feel bad because of having red, hair-especially as a child. I started "The Ginger Baby" almost 13 years ago to offer positive designs that would empower a child with red hair to be proud of being a rare mutation. I'm motivated every time I see a fellow redhead out and about. I see that ginger hair, and I want to say, "Hi! I understand you. I bet you were called "carrot top" and "red" all the time, too.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

It was a dream come true to be able to leave a job I didn't enjoy and start my own business. I haven't reached my big goals yet, but whether I do or not is totally up to me.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

For me, it's the discipline that comes with owning a business. I have "sparkly squirrel syndrome" and tend to go down rabbit holes of information when I should be doing something else. I have been known to set timers so I won't get lost in research when I should be designing or working on SEO, etc. The time you spend doing something frivolous is time you've lost working on your business.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Don't wait until the "time is right." You will always find a reason why now is not a good time. Just start, even if it's a one-page website that gets very little traffic. Jump in and get your feet wet.
  2. Until you can afford to outsource the tasks you aren't good at or just hate to do (I really don't like analytics and SEO), put those things first on your to-do list. Get them out of the way early — when you're at your most energetic. Use the things that you love to do (for me, it's creating my designs) as a reward. Even if I'm tired at the end of the day, knowing I'll get to sketch and create energizes me.
  3. From first-hand knowledge, start with the bare minimum of what you actually need to get started. If you don't NEED the fancy equipment, the latest machine, the $1500 course that will teach you "everything you need to know," or the expensive coworking space, don't buy them. That stuff will come with time, and you'll have so much more money for unexpected costs that pop up or to invest in things that will matter in the long run.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheGingerBaby
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGingerBaby/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gingerbabyshop/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.